[Jayson]

Discuss the closing ceremony here.


AND NOWHERE ELSE

[Locke.]

Please tell me every single country don't do the lap of honour thing again

[Jayson]

I don't think they do

[Marc]

-creates new thread and pays people to post there instead-

[lostalex]

it's basically gonna just be a big pop concert i think, like live aid.

[Marc]

Pls no mccartney

[Jayson]

As long as it represents British music fairly and without making us look stupid, I'll be happy with it.

Oh, and Muse must not play their new song.

[lostalex]

i'm looking forward to seeing the Rio section though.

and i like Muse. i'm sure they'll do that one that's like "weee willl beee victoorrious!"

I really hope Boris doesn't use it for his own personal stage to make a buffoon of himself some more, knowing full well that it makes him more endearing and lovable. he's so transparent...

[Iceman]

No interest in this at all..... the spice girls??? wow

[Jayson]

Kate Bush is one of the biggest music names mentioned here as a potential performer at Sunday's star-studded Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The singer's name is being bandied about in the British media alongside acts touted as already booked, including Muse, George Michael, The Who and the much-anticipated reunion of Spice Girls.

Also featuring in the hotly anticipated mix is "The X Factor" U.K. boy band finalists and Simon Cowell progeny One Direction, an appearance by Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye and a turn from singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.

Michael tweeted in the early hours of Thursday morning: "Have to get up at a reasonable time to get to the dress rehearsal..."

Madness and Pet Shop Boys, according to reports, also have been added to the stellar bill of music stars, with Paul McCartney tipped to make an appearance to sing another Beatles hit following his role in the Opening Ceremony.

The music director of the Olympic Closing Ceremony, David Arnold, told the Telegraph that he thinks the Closing Ceremony "should be the greatest afterparty in the world."

Said Arnold: "If the Opening Ceremony was the wedding, then we're the wedding reception. We're the one where everyone gets out of their cars at the village hall and goes: 'Wasn't that lovely? Everyone looked great. Let's put on Blame It on the Boogie and have a laugh.'"

Arnold, who has written an original score to tie together all the booked acts, told the Telegraph the show aims to mark a celebration of Britishness in terms of the arts. That includes "design, fashion, fine art, poetry and playwriting all sitting fairly and squarely on popular music."

Arnold has been working on the music content for the ceremony alongside artistic director Kim Gavin, a theatrical and ballet choreographer, and designer Es Devlin, who has created sets for Lady Gaga and Rihanna for the Closing Ceremony.

A big part of the ceremony -- outside the required Olympic formalities of the athletes parade, the medal ceremony for the men's marathon and the handover to the next host city Rio de Janeiro in four years' time -- will play out under the name "A Symphony of British Music."

The British media -- from the BBC to newspapers including the Telegraph and the tabloids and music paper NME -- have been abuzz in recent days about just what could and should be on the playlist as part of the Closing Ceremony.

Media speculation and wish lists have included Ray Davies of the Kinks, Adele, Paul Weller and Queen.

And no speculation would be complete from a British point of view without the prospects of an appearance by the Rolling Stones to give Mick Jagger one more opportunity after 50 years of the band to shout "allo London" one more time.

But, as with the Opening Ceremony, the exact nature and makeup of the show and acts is a heavily guarded secret.

But as the Games have already become the most successful Olympics for Team Great Britain, surpassing Beijing 2008's gold medal tally for the team's best in more than a century, it is expected to be a massive media, cultural and musical celebration.

The Closing Ceremony, featuring more than 4,100 performers, will kick off Sunday at 9 p.m. (4 p.m. ET) in the Olympic Stadium.

Also happening Sunday, Aug. 12 is the Hyde Park closing concert, featuring New Order, the Specials, and headliner Blur.

http://www.billboard.com/news/olympi...z95Xpt0CxWv.99

[lostalex]

so the guy that did trainspotting has nothing to do with it then?

[Jayson]

I think there is an athletes parade, but it's all the athletes together rather than individual nations, so it shouldn't take too long.

[michael21]

Originally Posted by Jayson

I think there is an athletes parade, but it's all the athletes together rather than individual nations, so it shouldn't take too long.

your making a lot of thread you much be worn out take a holiday mate

[Mrluvaluva]

The Olympics closing ceremony will be "the best after-show party of all time", says its artistic director.

Kim Gavin said the ceremony, which will focus on 50 years of British music, would be a "mashed-up symphony".

Team GB's Mo Farah has won his second gold of London 2012 in the 5,000 metres, and canoeist Ed McKeever won the sprint event to add to the UK haul.

David Cameron has unveiled plans for competitive team sport to be compulsory in primary schools in England.

Commenting on Farah's double-Olympic glory, Mr Cameron said: "Mo Farah is an Olympic legend and a true British hero. We can all be proud of his extraordinary achievement".

Ben Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history with four golds from four Games, will carry the flag for Team GB at the closing ceremony, the British Olympic Association have said.

BBC Sport presenter Clare Balding has also tweeted that there will be a gathering for Olympics volunteers at Greenwich Park on Sunday at about 19:00 BST, saying she wanted to thank the volunteers on air.

The closing ceremony, which begins at 21:00 BST on Sunday, will see 3,500 performers in the stadium.

Called the Symphony of British Music, the event will showcase "British creativity in the arts" and take people on a musical journey from Elgar to Waterloo Sunset in 30 tracks, Mr Gavin said.

He explained that while the flags would process in, the athletes would come in as "friends" to form a "mosh pit" for the show.

Between 200 and 1,000 seats are to be put up for online sale on Sunday after the set has been moved into place.

George Michael has already confirmed his participation and the Spice Girls and Tinie Tempah are among acts reported to be performing.

Locog said the total cost of the four Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies stands at Ł81m, with the opening ceremony costing Ł27m.


BBC

[Lee.]

I'm really looking forward to it... hope it's as good as the openeing ceremony! I'll be sad for it to be all over though

[Shaun]

PLEASE HAPPEN: The Who, Kate Bush, the Kinks, Pet Shop Boys
STAY THE **** AWAY, YOU NOBODIES: Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Beady Eye

[Mrluvaluva]

I posted this a few weeks ago in another thread...

...Take That, George Michael and The Who are among the artists on an alleged leaked setlist for the London Olympics closing ceremony on August 12.

Queen, Jessie J and Russell Brand will also perform during the two-hour musical and theatrical event according to the leaked document, reports the Daily Mail.

The beginning stages of the gig will see models of iconic London landmarks including Big Ben, the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral covered in newspaper, before being unwrapped by hundreds of people.

The opening scenes will be based on London's rush-hour period, with around 300 people speeding around in cars, scooters and bicycles.

Lollipop ladies will then reportedly strip to reveal Union Jack swimsuits to the theme of the national anthem.

Annie Lennox, Madness, Ray Davies and the Pet Shop Boys will be among the legendary stars to perform during the gig.

Kaiser Chiefs, Emeli Sandé, One Direction, Elbow, Ed Sheeran, Tinie Tempah and Fatboy Slim will represent the modern generation of performers.

Russell Brand will perform a cover of 'I Am the Walrus' by the Beatles, along with a version of Sex Pistols track 'Pretty Vacant' with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

Kate Moss will also lead a catwalk to represent the best of British fashion, alongside other top models Naomi Campbell, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole and Georgia May Jagger.

The Who will close the show, while Darcey Bussell and 300 Royal Ballet members will dance as the Olympic flame dies out.

Tickets for the event are still available at prices of Ł1,500, Ł995 and Ł655.

Ceremony producer Gavin Kent said: "We want to create a fabulous, emotional experience, something people remember for years to come. It will be an elegant mash-up of British music."

Take That, George Michael and The Who have been rumoured to be among the line-up since early June.

Robbie Williams was originally scheduled to join his Take That members but recently pulled out due to the possible birth of his first child.

The leaked line-up is as follows:

Opening scene - 'Rush Hour'
Emeli Sandé - 'Read All About It'
Julian Lloyd Webber - Elgar on Cello
Street Party 'Notting Hill' theme
Madness - 'Our House'
Parade of 160 Coldstream Guards to Blur's 'Parklife', led by Ray Winstone and/or Phil Daniels
Pet Shop Boys - 'West End Girls'
One Direction - 'What Makes You Beautiful'
Ray Davies - 'Waterloo Sunset'
Entrance of National Flags and 10,000 athletes
Victory Ceremony - with footage of Olympic highlights
Elbow - 'One Day Like This' and 'Open Arms'
Symphony of British Music
George Michael - 'Freedom' and 'White Light'
Kaiser Chiefs - 'Pinball Wizard'
Tribute to British Fashion - Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole and Georgia May Jagger to David Bowie's 'Fashion'
Annie Lennox - 'Little Bird'
The Clash - 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'
Ed Sheeran - 'Wish You Were Here'
Russell Brand with French and Saunders - 'Pretty Vacant'
Fatboy Slim - 'Right Here, Right Now'
Jessie J - 'Price Tag'
Tinie Tempah - 'Written in the Stars'
Taio Cruz - 'Dynamite'
Tinie Tempah and Jessie J - 'You Should Be Dancing'
Liam Gallagher OR Manic Street Preachers - To Be Confirmed
Eric Idle - 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'
Russell Brand - 'I Am the Walrus'
Queen and Jessie J - 'We Will Rock You'
Take That - 'Rule the World'
Flag Handover Ceremony
Darcey Bussell dancing to 'Spirit of the Flame' - Flame is extinguished
The Who perform finale
Fireworks display from roof of Olympic stadium.


DS

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

PLEASE HAPPEN: The Who, Kate Bush, the Kinks, Pet Shop Boys
STAY THE **** AWAY, YOU NOBODIES: Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Beady Eye

Please add Tiny Tempah to your " Stay the **** Away" list

Oh, and I would not be happy to see Kate bush

[lostalex]

I'm interested to see how they dismantle the Cauldron, because i remember reading that each country will get to take home their part of the cauldron.

I think that Cauldron was a brilliant idea. it was awesome. Best Cauldron in olympic history imo.

[Locke.]

Originally Posted by Mrluvaluva

Russell Brand with French and Saunders - 'Pretty Vacant'
Russell Brand - 'I Am the Walrus'

What are these?

[Shaun]

lee never talk to me again

oh also I pray that Ed doesn't cover Wish You Were Here that's one of my favourite songs. and please no Russell Brand/French & Saunders

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by Locke.

What are these?

Pointers of when to switch off your TV.

[Jayson]

Russell Brand will be familiar with the Americans

[lostalex]

UGH, not looking forward to Russell Brand. not my cup of coffee.

[Marc]

If newbies cover old(bies) I will cut somebody